Too Much Good Is Bad
As humans, we are always searching to improve and better our lives. We pinpoint the issues and develop creative solutions. We get excited and attached to our new ideas. This can lead us to forget the larger picture. The innovation, advancement and unfortunate obsession with vehicles has hit an all-time high. If this unnecessary growth continues, it will lead to many problems; deterioration of our environment, lack of space, and the wasting of our time, are a few of the many issues that have already started to arise. While there are many solutions to the traffic conundrum. In this article, I will focus on just one, efficiency.
Explosive Growth
Changing from a horse to a car was a huge improvement and a highlight moment in human history. 135 years later we are surrounded by cars, according to recent reports there are an estimated 1.5 billion vehicles on the road in 2021. That number was less than a billion in 2006. Realistically, how many cars can the earth hold?
3 Reasons This Is Urgent
The Effect on Our World: Vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution. They are a significant producer of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Studies have reported as many as 30,000 premature deaths are caused by particulate matter, annually. 7 months into 2021 there has already been 21,910,670,984 tons of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. Global warming has become a globally recognized issue. With the increase of cars, the answer of how long the earth can handle the abuse shortens.
The Overlooked Mathematics: Space is often an underrated topic when discussing the transportation market. The logistical nightmare of 1.5 billion cars. The average car is around 14.7 feet, a large chunk of space. It does not end with the car’s physical space, you have to add in parking spots, roads, gas stations, bridges…etc. The forest and oceans have been losing a long-standing tug-of-war with people for space on the planet. Every knowledgeable person agrees with the value nature provides to the planet’s existence. How many more vehicles can we put on the road before the forests become extinct?
Testing Human Patience: This is the most relatable issue; everyone has tested their patience, pumping the breaks more than the gas in standstill traffic. How much time do people waste a year on useless traffic? 54 hours. According to reports, the average American spends 54 hours a year in traffic. A full work-week wasted focused on the bumper in front of you. In New York City, that number more than doubles to 119 hours a year. While the world evolves in the direction of a “comfortable life”, you have to wonder when will the traffic become so frustrating that driving yourself, becomes the unbearable choice of transport? The answer – it already has.
Many cities struggle worldwide with a traffic problem. Bangalore, India has one of the worst congestions of traffic in the world. The average driving speed has been quoted as 17/kph!
When traffic is that bad, a solution is a necessity.
Putting Out 3 Fires with 1 Bucket
Efficiency. The most overlooked solution. The bottom line is there are too many cars on the road. “But we have places to drive to”, the common commuters would ask. Buses and shuttles have been around since 1985. At its highs, it was the ideal way to travel. After losing its appeal to private cars, consumers stopped using them. Today, sharing transportation is returning to be the most necessary and enjoyable method of transportation. This is a huge win for both current and future generations and I strongly believe we need to incentivize it as much as possible. Private transportation has become an economic disaster and a nerve-wracking waste of time. The old sitting in traffic, heating the globe, and circling for parking is seen as undesirable. Countries internationally have become more aware of this. Increasing the goal of reducing cars on the roads. It is our responsibility as a species to share this message with other people. Pursue the ride-sharing alternatives. The benefits of a bus or shuttle are endless for both personal and communal interests. Let someone else focus on the driving, while you turn the traffic into your spare productive time. The United States is losing to China, prediction reports for 2022, show China will lead the world in busses and shuttles, with over 57,000 buses. The USA is expected to have only 6500 buses.
To summarize:
Try a bus or shuttle, you will see instant benefits.
